Getting Started

Subtractive Synthesis
This page is here to act as a starter for those who know absolutely nothing about synthesis, therefore it's be beginning with some very basic fundamentals. It's worth noting right here, "you're using a modular", rules are meant to be broken; with the exception of manufacturer warnings about specific module settings, inputs and outputs that dont like being used in certain ways, experiment. The whole point of a modular is to deviate from the norm. These absolute basic patches can also help to test and get comfortable with new modules or a new system.

To start off with, You will require either:
 * An analogue sequencer
 * CV keyboard
 * A computer/MIDI source plus Midi to CV device, or
 * A computer with Expert Seepers/Silent Way interface to produce 1V/octave note CVs, Gate signals and so on, unless you want to use LFOs and other modules.

You'll always need to begin with an audio source (this will generally be a VCO.

Diagram 1 on the right shows just a basic VCO on it's own - this will produce a constant tone since it has nothing shaping it yet. If you feed your 1V/octave CV source into the CV-in you will get changes in the pitch of your constant tone.

Diagram 2 shows how to add a mixer module (or use a dedicated 'output' module instead) to provide volume control over the output.

Diagram 3 shows how to add a VCA to switch on and off the constant tone heard before to create on/off note sounds. note, this will not yet allow notes with varying volume.

Diagram 4 shows how to insert an ADSR Envelope into the signal path from gate to VCA so that you can vary the volume of notes with time.

Diagram 5 shows how a filter can be inserted instead of a VCA to shape a sound to creat a timbre.

Diagram 6 shows both a filter and VCA assembled together with a VCO to create a basic single oscillator patch. This style of conventional synthesiser signal path is commonly known as 'East Coast' patching.